The Victorian Government has established an economic survival package to support Victorian businesses and workers through the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package complements the work of the Federal Government.

The $500 million Business Support Fund will support the hardest hit sectors, including hospitality, tourism, accommodation, arts and entertainment, and retail.

The Government will work with the Victorian Chamber, Australian Hotels Association and Australian Industry Group to deliver the Fund, which will help these businesses – which may not be eligible for payroll tax refunds due to their size – survive and keep people in work.

Under the $500 million Working for Victoria Fund, displaced workers will be eligible to apply for different types of work. This presents opportunities for paid work and an opportunity to contribute to Victoria’s ability to manage this event and support the community.

Some displaced workers will have skills that can be readily transferred to new roles. The Government can also assist skills development or help people in obtaining immediate accreditation to commence work.

The Government will work across the public sector, local government, the not-for-profit sector and key private sector employers to facilitate job matching.

Greater Shepparton City Council’s Economic Development Department is actively working towards supporting local business and industry during what is a very difficult time both socially and economically. We are distributing all the available information to businesses, collating the current impacts, challenges and circumstances that business are facing due to COVID-19 and advocating to ensure critical messages are being received by the government so additional and ongoing assistance can be provided to local businesses. Please contact (03) 5832 9846

Greater Shepparton City Council’s Grants Coordinator is available to assist businesses who are making application for Federal or Victorian Government funding support or wish to learn more about what is out there regarding government assistance. This can be a confusing time for businesses to navigate through the various funding options however Council wants to make this process as simple as possible for business and industry. Please contact (03) 5832 5218 or email anna.feldtmann@shepparton.vic.gov.au

Greater Shepparton City Council is acting decisively to support our community and businesses to lessen the burden of the significant economic consequences of COVID-19. Council has initiated a suite of measures through the introduction of the Greater Shepparton Economic Response to COVID-19 Package.

For more information in relation to the support package, click the following link:

Agriculture Victoria has developed a webpage with advice for animal owners and people operating in agricultural businesses, including those working with livestock. The agricultural supply chain is essential to maintaining the flow of food to our supermarkets and kitchen tables.

ASBAS Online Workshops are not limited to just ASBAS Digital Solutions Members. Eligible Small Businesses who currently are not a member (Eligibility: Must have an active Victorian ABN, must have 19 or less employees, must be a For-Profit business) can register to these Online Workshops for Free.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Weekly webinar series providing an update on the state of affairs in the Victorian business community.

The summary can be: As part of Greater Shepparton City Council’s Economic Response to COVID-19 Package - Stage 1 for local businesses, Council is offering grants for small to medium sized businesses to facilitate transitioning to online and e-commerce activities.